Comments on: DB2 (Oracle funtionality in) http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/db2-oracle-funtionality-in/ Thu, 23 May 2013 05:15:55 +0000 hourly 1 By: meandyou http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/db2-oracle-funtionality-in/#comment-73378 meandyou Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:54:26 +0000 #comment-73378 reference TomLiotta’s response … I have a third definition for “flat file” On a mainframe (running z/OS) the term flat file means a sequential dataset. Physically sequential as opposed to any other type of dataset; VSAM (any of the 4 flavors) or a PDS (library).

Then, we confuse the issue even more when start speaking of RDBMSes. We think of the data as stored in tables, but the underlying dataset is VSAM LINDEAR. Very confusing.

Still, when I hear “flat file”, I think a sequential dataset on disk.

]]> By: tomliotta http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/itanswers/db2-oracle-funtionality-in/#comment-73305 tomliotta Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:43:20 +0000 #comment-73305 Phil’s comment comes from regular questions about DB2 and “mainframes” where the question turns out to be about iSeries or AIX. It’s just something we deal with often.

Also, the term “flat file” can have two different meanings — a streamfile in a directory or a single-field file in a database. Sometimes a question is about one or the other but doesn’t clarify. The two types have radically different approaches.

Can you clarify a little?

Tom

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